"Not Domestic Carnations"… 80 Flower Shops Caught Violating Origin Labeling Rules

6 Companies Falsely Labeled Criminally Charged
74 Unlabeled Companies Fined 3,965,000 Won

As the month of May, known as Family Month, sees an increase in the consumption of flowers such as carnations and roses, many businesses were caught violating regulations by falsely labeling the origin of their products.

The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 21st that it conducted an origin labeling inspection from May 1 to 14 at flower wholesale markets, flower retailers (florists), online sellers, and large supermarkets nationwide, identifying 80 violating businesses (82 items).

This crackdown focused on cut flowers such as carnations, which have high demand around Parents' Day (May 8) and Teachers' Day (May 15), and account for over 40% of the annual import volume during April and May. The inspection targeted false or missing origin labeling.

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NAQS utilized honorary monitors to conduct an origin labeling campaign at flower wholesale markets. They also distributed origin labeling guides to flower distribution and sales businesses.

The inspection results revealed 80 violating businesses, with violations by item as follows: carnations 71 cases (86.5%), roses 4 cases (4.9%), chrysanthemums 3 cases (3.7%), gerberas 2 cases (2.4%), lilies 1 case (1.2%), and baby's breath 1 case (1.2%). Compared to last year's inspection results, the number of violating businesses increased by 2 (2.6%), with carnations increasing by 3 cases (4.4%) and roses and chrysanthemums each increasing by 1 case.

Additionally, six businesses that sold Colombian and Chinese carnations and roses as domestically produced were criminally charged. For the 74 businesses caught with missing labels, fines totaling 3,965,000 KRW were imposed.

Park Seong-woo, head of NAQS, stated, "We plan to continue guidance and promotion of origin labeling to protect domestic flower producers and consumers." He added, "In June, we plan to conduct origin labeling inspections on honey, which has seen a recent increase in imports."